© iStockphoto.com / Anne Clark-
Pregnant women with specific alterations in two genes may be at increased risk of suffering depression after giving birth, a small new study suggests.More >> Pregnant women with specific alterations in two genes may be at increased risk of suffering depression after giving birth, a small new study suggests.More >> Racial disparities exist in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer among hospitals in the United States, according to a large new study.More >> Racial disparities exist in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer among hospitals in the United States, according to a large new study.More >> Music can help soothe the fear and anxiety of critically ill patients who have been placed on ventilators, reducing both their stress and their need for sedatives, according to a new study.More >> Music can help soothe the fear and anxiety of critically ill patients who have been placed on ventilators, reducing both their stress and their need for sedatives, according to a new study.More >> Dermatologists are saying that new federally mandated labeling laws for sunscreens should help Americans make smarter choices when it comes to products that provide the best sun protection.More >> Dermatologists are saying that new federally mandated labeling laws for sunscreens should help Americans make smarter choices when it comes to products that provide the best sun protection.More >> A child whose mother lived near heavy traffic while pregnant faces a relatively higher risk for developing a respiratory infection before the age of 3, a new study suggests.More >> A child whose mother lived near heavy traffic while pregnant faces a relatively higher risk for developing a respiratory infection before the age of 3, a new study suggests.More >> Air pollution and noise pollution both may boost the risk of heart disease, new research from Germany suggests.More >> Air pollution and noise pollution both may boost the risk of heart disease, new research from Germany suggests.More >> Boys who are diagnosed with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are twice as likely to become obese adults as those who didn't have the disorder when they were young, a new 30-year study shows.More >> Boys who are diagnosed with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are twice as likely to become obese adults as those who didn't have the disorder when they were young, a new 30-year study shows.More >> As the American Psychiatric Association unveils the latest edition of what is considered the "bible" of modern psychiatry this weekend, the uproar over its many changes continues.More >> As the American Psychiatric Association unveils the latest edition of what is considered the "bible" of modern psychiatry this weekend, the uproar over its many changes continues.More >> Children who swallow high-powered magnets often need surgery and other invasive procedures to remove the objects, according to a new study.More >> Children who swallow high-powered magnets often need surgery and other invasive procedures to remove the objects, according to a new study.More >>
-
A child whose mother lived near heavy traffic while pregnant faces a relatively higher risk for developing a respiratory infection before the age of 3, a new study suggests.More >> A child whose mother lived near heavy traffic while pregnant faces a relatively higher risk for developing a respiratory infection before the age of 3, a new study suggests.More >> Boys who are diagnosed with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are twice as likely to become obese adults as those who didn't have the disorder when they were young, a new 30-year study shows.More >> Boys who are diagnosed with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are twice as likely to become obese adults as those who didn't have the disorder when they were young, a new 30-year study shows.More >> As the American Psychiatric Association unveils the latest edition of what is considered the "bible" of modern psychiatry this weekend, the uproar over its many changes continues.More >> As the American Psychiatric Association unveils the latest edition of what is considered the "bible" of modern psychiatry this weekend, the uproar over its many changes continues.More >> Children who swallow high-powered magnets often need surgery and other invasive procedures to remove the objects, according to a new study.More >> Children who swallow high-powered magnets often need surgery and other invasive procedures to remove the objects, according to a new study.More >> Scientists report that they were able to improve the math-calculation skills of college students by buzzing their brains with doses of random high-frequency noise.More >> Scientists report that they were able to improve the math-calculation skills of college students by buzzing their brains with doses of random high-frequency noise.More >> There are few things more inviting than a cool, clear pool on a hot summer day. But a new federal report will have you thinking twice before dipping a toe in the water.More >> There are few things more inviting than a cool, clear pool on a hot summer day. But a new federal report will have you thinking twice before dipping a toe in the water.More >> Even children with low levels of lead in their blood score lower on reading-readiness tests when they begin kindergarten, a new study found.More >> Even children with low levels of lead in their blood score lower on reading-readiness tests when they begin kindergarten, a new study found.More >> Close to half of U.S high school students text while driving, a habit that dramatically increases their risk of getting into a potentially fatal car crash, a new study shows.More >> Close to half of U.S high school students text while driving, a habit that dramatically increases their risk of getting into a potentially fatal car crash, a new study shows.More >> Giving small amounts of infant formula to newborns who experience significant weight loss can increase the length of time that they are breast-fed, according to a new study.More >> Giving small amounts of infant formula to newborns who experience significant weight loss can increase the length of time that they are breast-fed, according to a new study.More >> At least 10 percent of severe genetic heart defects are caused by new gene mutations that were not passed down from patients' parents, a new study finds.More >> At least 10 percent of severe genetic heart defects are caused by new gene mutations that were not passed down from patients' parents, a new study finds.More >>
FRIDAY, Nov. 30 (HealthDay News) -- Toy shopping season is here and experts urge parents and others to make sure any gifts they buy for children are safe and age-appropriate.
Here are some gift-giving tips from doctors at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the American Academy of Pediatrics:
- Read all warning labels carefully and consider a child's age, interests and skill levels when buying toys.
- Choose toys with sturdy construction and avoid those with sharp edges and points.
- Choking is one of the leading causes of toy-related deaths, and most of these choking deaths are due to tiny balls, latex balloons and small magnets. Any toy that will be accessible by children under age 3 should not have any parts that are smaller than 1 inch in diameter and 2 inches long, because these can lodge in a child's mouth or throat.
- Avoid toy jewelry that may contain lead or cadmium, both of which can be harmful to children.
- Don't give toys that must be plugged into an electrical outlet to children younger than 10. Give them battery-operated toys instead. Remember, though, that button batteries found in toys can become lodged in the throat and cause serious injury or death.
- Don't buy pull toys with strings longer than 12 inches. They could be a strangulation hazard for babies.
- Store toys in designated areas, such as on a shelf or in a toy chest, and keep older children's toys away from younger children.
- If people offer you used toys that don't have warning labels, inspect them carefully and use your best judgment about whether to accept them.
- Some toys contain powerful magnets. If a child swallows more than one of these magnets, they can attract to one another and result in serious injury or death. If your child ingests one more magnets, seek immediate medical attention.
More information
The Nemours Foundation has more about choosing safe toys.
Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
